Coronavirus: Amarnath Yatra cancelled for second consecutive year

The Amarnath Yatra has been cancelled in view of the coronavirus pandemic, the board that manages the shrine said on Monday.

In a statement, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board said that it has decided to hold the annual pilgrimage in a symbolic manner. All rituals will be performed at the shrine according to past practices, it said.

The decision was taken after Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha held discussions with the members of the board, senior police officers and administrative officials.

At the meeting, Sinha, who is also the chairperson of the shrine management board, directed officials to ensure that devotees can attend the morning and evening aarti online. “Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board is aware of and respect the sentiments of millions of devotees, and to keep the sentiments alive, the Board shall continue the live telecast of morning and evening Aarti from the Holy Cave shrine,” the lieutenant governor said.

It’s important to save people’s lives. So, it is not advisable to hold and conduct this year’s pilgrimage in the larger public interest.

— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) June 21, 2021

Sinha said that priests visiting the shrine cave to perform the aarti would follow all Covid-19 appropriate behaviour. Nitishwar Kumar, the chief executive officer of the shrine board, said…

Read more